Lead: Laura Geronimo
Counselors: Clint Andrews, Elisabeth Gilmore, Bob Kopp, Will Payne

This project examined how decisions about coastal climate adaptation are made in the United States and developed policy recommendations to reduce long-term flood risk and inequity. Drawing on case studies from across the country, the research analyzed how federal programs distribute funding for flood risk reduction and how these investments influence whether communities rebuild in hazardous coastal areas or relocate away from them. The project included a national analysis of more than 41,000 FEMA-funded property buyouts and home elevations—two common responses to flood damage with very different implications for land use and future risk in the floodplain. Building on these quantitative findings, the research focused on a case study of post–Hurricane Sandy recovery in New Jersey, where rebuilding and elevations were widely pursued. Through more than 30 interviews with residents and local, state, and federal officials, the study examined how values, beliefs, and worldviews shaped preferences for flood mitigation strategies. These qualitative insights informed the design and evaluation of alternative recovery pathways using a 50-year time horizon. Together, the findings show that fragmented and poorly coordinated federal disaster funding can allow well-resourced local and private interests to shape outcomes that increase future risk and exacerbate existing inequities. The project recommends developing a national coastal land-use strategy, supporting large-scale voluntary relocation from high-risk areas, improving evaluation of long-term adaptation tradeoffs, and pursuing more transformative approaches to coastal adaptation.

Disclaimer: This project has been completed, and the lead is now a MACH alumn.  No further updates are expected for this project.